Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-06
CHE HEALTH OF SUNSET COX.
rhe Genial Congressman Recover
ing from His severe Illness.

Fhe Genial Congressman Recover
ing from His severe Illness.
WASHINGTON, March 5.-The Hon. s.
S. Cox is slowly recovering from his late
dangerous illness, but he had a close call
and narrow escape. There came nearer
being "Sunset in heaven" than 1t is
pleasant to contemplate. The disease
was catarrh OF the stomach, and so seri-
Gus the case became that at one time it
was impossible Tor him to take nourIsh-
ment in the ordinary way. But am t, Id
by his physician that even when most
critically sick our genial CONGRESSMAN
never quite lost mis- relish of joke.
l wonder if, when his life seemed to
hang in the balance. Mr.. Cox recalled an
amusing incident of many years ago.
| He certainly will remember il
! when it is related. IL must
| have been about 1872 or 1873. L think,
that, making flying visit to the scenes
of his boyhood, in Ohio, Mr.. Cox attend
| ed church on Sunday. The venerable
preacher chose for his text: LAS a servant
earnestly desIreth the shadow."-Job
| VIII, 2.
The sermon was very earnest and elo-
quept one. 1t opened with vivid word
| painting by the sacred orator OF a pic
ture he had once seen illustrating the
text. A slave, worn and weary with
Toll, was looking toward the west, wait
| ing for the end OF the days work, while
| the sun slowly sank behind the horizon.
The picture was entitled "Longing for
! Sunset" And then the preacher "im-
| proved the text. lie called up the
| worthless OF both Testameuts; he pic
tured Jacobs longing for Joseph, after
DIS brethren had sold him into bondage.
and old Simeon's desire 10 go since "his
eyes were made glad" He dwelt upon
| the thought that man was placed upon
this eartn tor wise purpose, and that no
one should desire to go. "WOrk was to
De done, and yet we should look and long
for sunset When the heart breaks
and sorrow is too painful, aud suicide
tempts and the soullcngs for sunset we
| should remem Der that sunset is only the
! vestibuie OF sunrise" And then he
perforated. NV hen the river is crossed,
the swollen food passed, and heaven at
tanned, there will be unshadowed JOY, for
there Is no sunset in heayenl"
MIR. CoX's friends could not repress
smile, even In that sacred place, but they
agreed with the preacher, as bis hosts OF
fiends do to-day, in rejoicing that there
! is as yet no "Sunset in heaven"
Mr.. Cox speaks regretiully of his fame
as a Congressional wit. He thinks that
1t has prevented a just appreciation OF
| the more serious work he has done and,
! perhaps, sometimes stood in the way OF
| his promotion. think this Is only an
other instance OF the depreciation OF ones
! own talents. Mr.. Cox's name 10 INSOFAR
ably LINK ed 10 some VI the most credlta
BILE legislation OF Congress--uotably with
the building up of the life-savIng service.
Every sbipwrecked mariner, when res
cued by the coast patrol, ought 10 re-
| member S. s. Cox when he sets his foot on
terra firma. The House OF Representa-
tives is dull place when Sunset Cox is
absent, and that he may be speedily re-
stored TO perfect health ~ the prayer OF
thousands TO whose enjoyment he has
contributed all over the land. May IL be
many years before we have "Sunset In
heaven" u. l.. WHITE.